RAMFast ROM's
Gust L Friedemann
between the later ROM revisions? What is the difference between 3.01F
and 3.01-EZ? My EZ appears to have a different main chip (Zilog) than my
other? Can someone shed some light on this?
Thanks!
A2Aviator
The -EZ ROM is for a card with a Zilog CPU.
Gust L Friedemann
> Thats exactly the difference.
>
> The -EZ ROM is for a card with a Zilog CPU.
Is there anywhere one can find a write-up about the differences between
the two models/firmwares? Why did they make two different CPU'd
versions? Is the Zilog variety rarer? I can't seem to find a reference
to purchase -EZ ROMS, and assumably, the standard 3.01F won't work in a
Zilog model...
Clarification?
Thanks a bunches.
Steven Hirsch
At a programming register level, I believe the Z180 and HD64180 were
identical. However, the Zilog part had some additional interface and clocking
features (wait states, clock divider and some others I don't recall). I'm
going to bet that the "EZ" ROMs had some added code to configure these at boot.
Geo3
They found a small bug in the Es code. That had to do with TAPE
DRIVES. So they fixed it. Hardly anybody uses a tape drive, then or
now to backup data
Take Care
Geo3
Not sure Zilog chip but they made for the IIgs that was smaller than
the one for the IIe.
Gust L Friedemann
So the Zilog-based cards with the EZ ROM is newer.. OK.
That is an interesting fix... Throw in a pound for pound similar
controller chip with a few extras and code around a bug in a NEW ROM..
Heh. :)
Gust L Friedemann
You mean the RAMFast Rev. D? Smaller than what? A breadbox? I think I
missed something in trasnaltion. :)
Geo3
Not having them all in front of me. Yes the Rev. D was the one for the
IIgs the other one was about twice the size (older) that was used in
the II - IIe, and also in the IIgs.
Gust L Friedemann
Yes. I understand that. There are multiple (at least 2) versions of the
Rev. D, though. The D, is indeed smaller than the IIe versions.
bill.m...@gmail.com
The 3.01EZ ROM has a bug in it which is why it was followed up by the
3.01F ROM. The bug is, if I remember correctly one that causes
complete data loss with the drive and should not be used. (It seems to
me there was one function that caused this in particular but I dont
have my notes in front of me.)
Gust L Friedemann
So, 3.01F *supersedes* -EZ, regardless of model controller chip?
bill.m...@gmail.com
I dont remember the upgrade but there might have been another chip
that was included. It's been too many years, but I had 5 of them. I
will see if I can dig up my notes on it, however, do not use the
3.01EZ card if you value your data.
Mitchell Spector
Haven't visited here in well over a year, but happened to see
this thread and thought I'd clear up some misconceptions above.
The original RamFAST, produced by CV-Technologies, used a
Hitachi processor. When Sequential Systems bought the design
and did their own manufacturing, they replaced it with a Zilog
processor. The "EZ" ROM firmware put the Zilog CPU (Z180)
into Hitachi CPU mode (HD64180). Which makes me think, the
Sequential cards must have been locked into revisions "E" and
"F" of the firmware.
The RamFAST firmware "E" and "EZ" both contained a bug
involving the built-in tape backup software's RESTORE function.
You could create a backup with no problem, but it would not be
able to restore/write it back. Revision "F" resolved that bug, and
contained only a single byte of data changed from what I recall.
Revision E/EZ is completely safe, it does NOT cause data
corruption.
To answer the question: Yes, 3.01f supersedes 3.01ez,
it still contains code to make it work with the Zilog processor.
And "EZ" works happily with the CV-Technology card with
the Hitachi processor present, I have one installed in mine.
Mitchell Spector
Gust L Friedemann
Thank You!
Clarification! Bless you Mr. Spector. :)
I'll have to get 2, 3.01f ROMS from ReactiveMicro if I don't decide to
sell these off.
Thanks again.